Film incentives bill still moving through N.C. Senate

Tuesday

Jun 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM

A bill in the state Senate that would increase North Carolina’s film incentive rebate from 15 percent to 25 percent passed its second reading Tuesday, 26 to 19.

A bill in the state Senate that would increase North Carolina’s film incentive rebate from 15 percent to 25 percent passed its second reading Tuesday, 26 to 19.Sen. Linda Garrou, D-Forsyth, who sponsored the bill, objected to a third reading, which means it will likely go into its third and final reading Wednesday.Garrou and Sen. Julia Boseman, D-New Hanover, spoke in favor of the bill.“It’s a clean industry that does not harm the environment or endanger public health,” Boseman said.Sen. Phil Berger, R-Guilford, Rockingham, and Sen. W. Edward Goodall, R-Mecklenburg, Union, spoke against the bill.After listening to Garrou say a study conducted by Ernst & Young shows that for every dollar North Carolina gives to film production companies, it gets $1.30 in return, plus the prestige of having films made here which drives tourism, Berger said, “Folks, it don’t work that way. Think about how your businesses operate.”He called it “Madoff Math,” referring to Bernard Madoff, a former chairman of the Nasdaq stock exchange who bilked billions out of innocent investors.“We keep hearing that we have to be in the game,” Goodall said. “I hope we’re not the ones being gamed.”

– Amy Hotz

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.